ALSTOM has begun validation testing of the first of 10 five-car Coradia Stream EMUs that it is supplying to Catalonia Government Railways (FGC) to operate a new service running to Terminal 1 at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport.
The final stage of factory trials comprises static and dynamic testing at the company’s Santa Perpètua de Mogoda plant north of Barcelona, which will be followed by traction and braking trials on the 1668mm-gauge national network managed by Adif.
The new fleet is being supplied by Alstom under a €177m contract including maintenance over 15 years that was awarded by FGC in September 2022. The 85m-long trains have a maximum speed of 120km/h and can each accommodate up 656 passengers, with 193 seats, seven folding seats and two wheelchair spaces. Each car has two doors per side.
Designed specifically for airport traffic, the new trains feature wide aisles and ample space for luggage. Passenger information systems include nine screens displaying airport information, including flight arrival and departure times.
To assist passengers with hearing impairments, green and red lights will indicate door opening and closing, complementing audible signals. The trains will also be fully accessible, with step-free boarding and automatic ramps at doors near the wheelchair spaces. Two multifunctional areas will be provided for bicycles and pushchairs.
The fleet will be maintained at a new facility currently under construction at Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, including a 3500 m² building with two covered tracks, auxiliary workshops, a warehouse, staff accommodation and offices.
Expected to be completed by spring 2026, the new depot will cover a total of 12ha. The project includes the installation of wheel-turning facilities, a train washing plant and a traction substation.
Airport service
FGC’s new airport service is due to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, once infrastructure manager Adif has completed construction of the new branch to Terminal 1. The 22.7km route will run from Sant Andreu via Sagrera, El Clot, Passeig de Gràcia, Sants, Bellvitge, El Prat de Llobregat and Terminal 2 to Terminal 1.
The journey time from Passeig de Gràcia in the centre of Barcelona to Terminal 1 will be a little over 20 minutes. Services will operate every 15 minutes, double the frequency of the current Renfe commuter service to the Airport station adjacent to Terminal 2.
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